To strengthen this contribution, Swisscontact has set itself ESG targets (Environment, Social, Governance) for its projects as well as for its own institutional structures and processes. We systematically assess our potential negative impacts (footprint) and identify ways to further increase our positive impact (handprint).
In 2025, outstanding results have been achieved across environmental, social, and governance topics. Around one hundred projects on all continents have contributed to the creation or retention of more than 36,000 jobs. They supported smallholders and SMEs in generating more than CHF 72 million in additional income. With these results, the respective 2028 targets have already been exceeded in the second year of implementing the sustainability strategy.
By contributing to the prevention of forest fires, two projects in Guatemala and Honduras have avoided or captured more than one million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. This is well beyond the target for the entire strategy period, which had been set at 150,000 t, not anticipating such a significant result.
Our projects consistently place environmental and social considerations at their core. In 2025, 65% of all projects promoted green skills or green jobs, and 72% implemented interventions that fostered more equal access to resources and decision-making power and challenged gender stereotypes. In Niger, for example, the GWANI project supported the creation of a network for women with exceptional career paths in traditionally male-dominated industries, to inspire and encourage other young women and girls.
We have also put our commitments to locally led development into practice. The Sustainable Landscape Program Indonesia (SLPI-LASR), for example, strengthened multi-stakeholder platforms and established grievance and deforestation response mechanisms that are owned and led by local institutions. Swisscontact supports them where they themselves see the need. Across all projects, Swisscontact supported 182 local partners in strengthening their governance.
Beyond project implementation, significant progress has been made in aligning processes and structures with social, environmental, and governance targets. All results on gender and diversity for staff and management are well aligned with the targets. The gender pay gap at the head office in Switzerland is a statistically insignificant 1.4 %. Greenhouse gas emissions have been lower than in previous years, and 100% of employees have been trained on ethical conduct, and the prevention of abuse and harassment.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to further reducing our footprint while expanding our positive handprint across the contexts in which we operate. Through a strengthened monitoring framework and sustained dedication, we will continue to advance our objectives in a responsible and sustainable manner.
For more information:
Highlights as well as the full version of our Sustainability Report 2025